Benefit for Children

Iowa native Zach Johnson (right) became the 2008 Valero Texas
Open’s newest champion on Oct. 12. On left, Valero's Executive
Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategic Planning
Gene Edwards congratulates Johnson on his win.

After an incredibly successful run in the fall, the Valero Texas Open, one of the most historic tournaments on the PGA TOUR, and associated Valero Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic are proud to announce a shift in schedule, placing the PGA TOUR'S top tournament in charity giving in a much-coveted spring date as part of the FedExCup competition. As the Benefit for Children Golf Classic has proven to be a perfect companion event to the Valero Texas Open, it is only fitting that they move together to this exceptional spot on the spring calendar. Beginning in 2009, the Valero Texas Open will be played May 14-17, while the Benefit for Children Golf Classic will be held May 17-18. Click here to read more.

The 2008 Valero Texas Open was held again this year at the award-winning Westin La Cantera Resort Oct. 6-12. The associated Valero Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic was held Oct. 12-13.

The featured speaker for this year’s Benefit for Children Golf Classic Welcome Dinner was PGA veteran Rocco Mediate who waged a historic battle with Tiger Woods for the 2008 U.S. Open Championship. Since turning pro in 1985, Rocco has had over 150 Top 25 finishes, over 60 Top 10’s and 5 Wins.

This year’s Benefit for Children Golf Classic was played on a staggering nine different golf courses throughout the San Antonio area, featured morning and afternoon rounds, and over 2,000 players. It was an event to remember!

With tremendous support from Valero’s business partners, the 2008 Valero Texas Open was the most successful in the tournament’s 87-year history. Together with the Valero Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic, the Valero Texas Open contributed a record total of $8.5 million to charity -- this fundraising total keeps the Valero Texas Open among the most charitable tournaments on the PGA TOUR.

And for the first time, the Valero Energy Foundation added a new dimension to the company’s charitable giving with a separate donation of $100,000 to Feed The Children. The gift, which will feed and care for more than 200 children around the world for a year, was given in lieu of a table gift, in appreciation for Valero’s sponsors.

Valero Chairman and CEO Bill Klesse announced the gift during the Benefit for Children Welcome Dinner ceremonies, thanking guests for being a part of Valero’s mission to help and support children everywhere.

About the Valero Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic
The Valero Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic, a project of the Valero Energy Foundation, raises money for children’s charities in the communities where Valero has major operations. The beneficiaries are nominated by Valero employees, and an all-employee committee evaluates the charities and makes the final selection of agencies which they believe will provide the most benefits to disadvantaged or disabled children. Each agency is also required to demonstrate that the funds will be used for specific programs targeted to children.